[chanceb23]

Hey guys a few months ago I posted a topic about my bike losing 5th and 6th gear. We determined that my clutch was starting to go. After more consideration I don't know if that is the case. Background, the bike rides perfect in 1-4 gears when I shift to 5 & 6 the bike revs and hardly accelerates. I have adjusted the clutch cable to the longest point to no avail. My bike has 3500 miles on it. I got oil changed before putting it up for winter last year. In march I got into a serious work place accident and only put 30 miles on my bike over summer in 4 rides. It has sat on stands for almost a year. My mechanic looked at it and said it was low on oil but never checked clutch. He added synthetic oil to it even though it had conventional oil in it already. The problem went away for a week and came back. Is it I need new oil change from sitting so much or a new clutch?

 

[vulgr]

It still sounds like a clutch issue to me. It'ld be worth having a look at the chain tension and condition of the sprockets as well, however with 3,500 miles I'ld be surprised if they need replacing. Anything worse than that and you'll probably be paying a bike shop to fix it- hopefully won't be anything too difficult but very intimidating opening the clutch and gearbox if you haven't worked on bikes before

 

[The Thinker]

I cant imagine how this could be anything else besides the clutch. I have noticed on my bike when I am going ham on the freeway and I shift to the higher gears the clutch does slip for a second before gripping, but I assumed that's just how it is on these bikes. Now I am thinking twice about that...

 

[Superman]

I cant imagine how this could be anything else besides the clutch. I have noticed on my bike when I am going ham on the freeway and I shift to the higher gears the clutch does slip for a second before gripping, but I assumed that's just how it is on these bikes. Now I am thinking twice about that...

Doesn't happen on mine, you should take a look at it.

 

[Yoermane]

The shift problems of the EX300 are very well known.
One possible solution: http://www.factorypro.com/Prod_Pages/prodk35_ex300.html

 

[chanceb23]

It was strange how it was perfectly fine when I put it up for the winter than the first ride of the season I have no 5 & 6.

 

[chanceb23]

It revs like I still have the clutch lever pulled in When it is fully released. 3000 miles seem to new for a clutch issue.

 

[Brion B]

The shift problems of the EX300 are very well known.
One possible solution: http://www.factorypro.com/Prod_Pages/prodk35_ex300.html

Please expand on these well known shift problems.

 

[GregS]

Please expand on these well known shift problems.

The 300 has a tendency to slip out of gear, and installing a stiffer spring pretty much solves the problem, it certainly worked well for me.

Regarding this being a clutch issue, I would doubt it. A clutch works the same way no matter what gear the bike is in. It would be more likely to slip in gears 1 through 4, than it would be in 5 and 6 due to the great mechanical advantage offered in the lower gears.

 

[Brion B]

Actually a clutch usually begins to slip in a higher gear rather than a lower gear.

 

[GregS]

Actually a clutch usually begins to slip in a higher gear rather than a lower gear.

You're correct - for seem reason my brain is wired backwards today (seems to happen more after 50).

 

[1uglybastard]

could also be the transmission.

 

[chanceb23]

I hope it is not the transmission. This would happen as soon as the warrenty ended

 

[chanceb23]

Could it be a clutch cable problem?

 

[Brion B]

Could it be a clutch cable problem?

Yes,are you sure you do not have the cable adjusted too tight?

 

[chanceb23]

I found out today I had a friend of mine store it in his garage over the summer because he has a pole barn full of bikes. He told me today that he was messing with my cable adjustments because he didn't like were I have it. He only rides Harleys and I am thinking he tightened more than I have. I am going to work on it tomorrow and see if that is what is wrong.

 

[Brion B]

I found out today I had a friend of mine store it in his garage over the summer because he has a pole barn full of bikes. He told me today that he was messing with my cable adjustments because he didn't like were I have it. He only rides Harleys and I am thinking he tightened more than I have. I am going to work on it tomorrow and see if that is what is wrong.

Please keep us updated

 

[1uglybastard]

If he set it really tight then he may have taken some life off of your clutch. Having it really tight rides the clutch and causes friction between the clutch plates when you're in gear.

The clutch lever should have a little bit of wiggle. You should be able to pull it an eighth of an inch or so before the cable goes under tension and starts pulling the clutch plates.

 

[vulgr]

I found out today I had a friend of mine store it in his garage over the summer because he has a pole barn full of bikes. He told me today that he was messing with my cable adjustments because he didn't like were I have it. He only rides Harleys and I am thinking he tightened more than I have. I am going to work on it tomorrow and see if that is what is wrong.

What an asshole! He doesn't need to like how anything feels, I would be pissed if anyone adjusted anything on my bike without permission (i.e. Brakes, clutch, rearsets, clipons, suspension). Atleast you almost certainly know what it is now (and that matches the problem you're having), I'ld have a word to him so it doesn't happen again

 

[chanceb23]

My only confusion is how come it only effects 5 and 6 and not 1- 4?